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Mars tries again for Cosgrave chain of veterinary clinics

Linnaeus Veterinary Ireland Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mars Inc, is seeking Competition and Consumer Protection Commission permission for the second time to acquire an operator of veterinary clinics in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare.

LVI originally notified its deal to purchase Blackhall Facilities Management Ltd to the CCPC in April 2022, but the application was withdrawn in June.

Blackhall was established by Karl Cosgrave and operates 15 vet clinics. The business is owned by Charles Cosgrave and Julianne Moriarty, children of founder.

Linnaeus is a group of veterinary practices active in the UK and Ireland and previously bought five veterinary practices in Dublin and Kildare. The proposed deal, if approved, will make Linnaeus the market leader in the sector.

According to deal monitor Renatus, Village Vets commenced trading in in 1980 in Dunshaughlin, with an initial focus on large animals. Today the business is focused on small animals and is one of the largest organically grown small animal vet chains in Ireland.

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“They have achieved this by expanding in clever urban locations and by being best-in-class in HR, marketing and their general offering,” according to Renatus.

Mars
veterinary clinics
Village Vets commenced trading in in 1980 in Dunshaughlin, with an initial focus on large animals. Today the business is focused on small animals and is one of the largest organically grown small animal vet chains in Ireland.

Though best known for its confectionery brands M&Ms, Snickers, Orbit gum and Skittles, as well as food brands Ben’s Original and Dolmio, privately-owned Mars says it has 100,000 ‘Petcare Associates’ who take care of half of the world's pets.

Its multiple petfood brands include Pedigree and Whiskas.

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